Black Code is finished!
Ok, I still have editing, proofing, a little bit of layout, art, production to sort, etc. but apart from that it’s BASICALLY done.
Woohoo!
Black Code – Feb/19 Update
Writing for Black code continues. The world part of the book is cracking along, with the Bloom and Grid done and Temple getting there. It’s looking like it might be a little bigger than I was expecting!
Quick Update – Nov
Quick update – work is still ongoing, just had a little delay due to other “real life work” projects. I’ll be at Dragonmeet if anyone wants to chat.
Black Code – UKGE Update
I’m finally back in the land of the living after UK Game Expo, and I had a fantastic if exhausting time. As I’ve been talking Black Code all weekend and we’ve had a little surge in interest after the con I figured It’s latest news time.
I ran a load of little 2 hour slots as part of Games on Demand at UKGE and had a blast. I even had a little 10 year old girl join in with her dad in one session who was particularly brilliant – and totally caught me on all my Overwatch references.
I’ve found an artist who I think will be perfect, (though I’m always looking for more) and I’ll be putting together the “Artists Bible” over the next few days so I can get the art moving.
I’m taking a little break from running the playtest campaigns for the next couple of weeks to avoid GM burnout and crack on with the writing – but don’t worry folks, we’ll be back on soon.
As I was interviewed for a podcast at the con I was put in a bit of a spot on timeline… so I can confirm the current plan is to have the book “finished” and have a kickstarter to pay for the art… near the end of the year!
Black Code T-Shirts now available!
As a bit of a taster, I’m experimenting with Redbubble as a POD Service for T-Shirts.
I use them for my one shot personal things and they’ve always been good before.
I was going to just make some one-offs for conventions but some people have been asking so…
If you fancy supporting Black Code (a big ask as we’re still in Alpha development, but at least you can say you were there at the beginning), they are available HERE
To the grindstone…
Another couple of playtest streams, a few more Alpha playtest invites, and I’m about ready for the real work… now comes writing & design of the book. I’m fairly happy with the system and apart from a few tweaks here and there as the playtests continue and the final dreaded “balance pass” I think we’re OK to go to writing the thing. Wish me luck!
Alpha playtesting continues
Working towards the official beta packs has been an interesting process. We’ve had a couple of rules revisions, and a nice series of “cold” playtests by the powerhouse Lloyd Gan has been super useful in defining the parts of the game that need a little more love or handholding for players to make the concepts easily understandable. A few more tweaks and a little polish and then the writing and layout of the Beta Packs can begin in earnest!
Black Code Development – Character Gen
One of the great things I enjoy about RPGs is character generation. I love systems that evoke interesting character ideas as you generate them (I’m getting on a bit and I need all the help I can get). What I want with Black Code is to enable players to craft WHATEVER character they want, rather than get stuck in the minutiae of not having this ability until a certain level, or not quite being able to afford gun X. What I don’t want though is just ephemeral descriptors (Fate, sweetie, I love you but I need more out of this relationship). I need hooks to hang my character on – I need to know just how good a warrior I am amongst other warriors, you know?
BC is getting to a nice place. Capability points give skills that let you know what you’re good at and #TAGS that let you know what makes you special. Asset points gives you more #TAGs for the physical stuff, and the onus is on players to ‘skin’ the appearance of anything to be what they want it to be.
This week my guinea pigs got to play with character gen… and they came up with legends. So proud.
Dante, Perun, Hesh, Napier & Cale – You were the first. Hopefully many more will follow.
Black Code Development – #Tags
Black Code uses a system of #TAGS (hashtags) that indicate powers and abilities for your characters. I’m having a lot of fun writing these and putting in little jokes in the titles, etc. Here’s a few of the ton I’m working on to show some of the favour they can add.
#SPECIALSETOFSKILLS – +1 skill to Track checks if there is a personal reason why you need to find the target.
#BABAYAGA – May use reputation to automatically win an intimidation check, get past bouncers, avoid imperial entanglements, etc. In exchange the GM will add a new NPC to the campaign who’s after you. Good luck.
#IKNOWAGUY – Once per session (or more if the GM is having a real bad day) you can create a contact on the spot. Charm roll determines their current feelings towards you.
#MRROBOT – +1 skill to Tech rolls when violating EULAs (Hacking, Breaking & Entering, etc.)
If you fancy coming up with a #TAG that might end up in the game, email blackcode@dicemachine.com
Demo Games of Black Code
After HorneyCon, I’m looking forward to running Black Code at other venues. Currently I’m working towards having a few adventures prepped for Contingency in January and SpagettiConJunction in February. If you fancy playing Black Code, come along!